Near field communications (nfc) coil and proximity sensor for portable devices

ABSTRACT

Described herein are techniques related to near field coupling and proximity sensing operations. For example, a proximity sensor uses a coil antenna that is utilized for near field communications (NFC) functions. The proximity sensor may be integrated into an NFC module to form a single module.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/977,576, filed on Apr. 21, 2014, entitled “NEAR FIELDCOMMUNICATIONS (NFC) AND PROXIMITY SENSOR FOR PORTABLE DEVICES” which isa National Stage filing of PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2012/029301,filed on Mar. 15, 2012, entitled “NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATIONS (NFC) COILAND PROXIMITY SENSOR FOR PORTABLE DEVICES”. The U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/977,576 is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety and for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Technologies have arisen that allow near field coupling (such aswireless power transfers (WPT) and near field communications (NFC))between wireless portable devices in close proximity to each other andmore particularly, thin portable electronic devices. Near field couplingfunctions use radio frequency (RF) antennas in each of the devices totransmit and receive electromagnetic signals. Because of user desires,and/or for esthetic reasons, many of these portable wireless devices aresmall, and are becoming smaller as markets evolve, and tend to haveexaggerated aspect ratios when viewed from the side. As a result, manythin portable devices incorporate flat antennas, which use coils ofconductive material as their radiating antennas for use in near fieldcoupling functions.

Meanwhile, (capacitive) proximity sensors may be used in tablets(portable device) with embedded wireless wide-area network (WWAN), suchas a third generation or a fourth generation (3G/4G) digital radio, inorder to pass Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations suchas, specific absorption rate (SAR). For example, the proximity sensorsmay detect human body within proximity, and may use a sensor electrodeof relatively large size to implement proximity detection. Both the NFCand the proximity sensor devices may require significant space in aportable device and neither may be covered by metallicchassis/shielding. In other words, the NFC and the proximity sensordevices may be competing for a very limited space for antennas on thewireless device (e.g., tablets). The limited space even becomes morechallenging as the portable device gets thinner and adopts a fullmetallic chassis. To this end, performances of the NFC and/or theproximity sensor may be compromised when their respective sizes getcompacted in order to fit within a thin portable device. Accordingly, asolution may be implemented to provide efficiency on performances of theproximity sensor and the NFC devices in the thin portable device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates an example near field coupling arrangement betweenportable devices to perform near field communications (NFC) relatedfunctions.

FIG. 1B illustrates an example wireless communications arrangementbetween portable devices that includes proximity sensing operation.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example portable device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an example proximity sensor circuit and nearfield communications (NFC) module combo that includes passive devices.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an example proximity sensor circuit and nearfield communications (NFC) module combo that includes active devices.

FIG. 5 is a method for proximity sensing and near field communicationsusing the same coil antenna.

The following Detailed Description is provided with reference to theaccompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of areference number usually identifies the figure in which the referencenumber first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in differentfigures indicates similar or identical items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This document discloses one or more systems, apparatuses, methods, etc.for coupling antennas of devices and more particularly for using thesame coil antenna of thin portable devices for proximity sensing andnear field coupling capabilities of the portable devices. Near fieldcoupling includes (by way of illustration and not limitation) wirelesspower transfer (WPT) and/or near field communications (NFC) capabilitiesof the portable devices. In an implementation, a proximity sensor isintegrated with a NFC module to form a single module. The single modulemay be connected to a coil antenna that receives an electrical signalfor both proximity sensing operations and NFC operations. The proximitysensing operation may be configured to operate at a low frequencyelectrical signal (e.g., 30 KHz) to detect a human being withinproximity, or to detect metallic components of another device withinproximity range. The NFC operations may be configured to operate at ahigh frequency electrical signal (e.g., 13.56 MHz) to perform the NFCfunctions. In an implementation, the coil antenna is configured toinclude an open ended spiral shape coil antenna during proximity sensingoperations by the proximity sensor. On the other hand, during NFCoperations, the coil antenna is configured to include a close endedspiral shape coil antenna to perform the NFC functions by the NFCmodule.

In an implementation, passive devices or components (e.g.,resistor-capacitor low pass filter) may be installed to separate theproximity sensing operation from the NFC operations. In thisimplementation, the proximity sensing electrical signal is isolated fromthe NFC electrical signal. In other implementations, a softwareimplementation uses active devices (e.g., switches) to separate theproximity sensing electrical signal from the NFC electrical signal.

Example System

FIG. 1A illustrates an example arrangement of portable devices thatperforms NFC functions. More particularly, users may have a desire tooperate near field coupling enabled portable electronic devices and/orother devices in certain ergonomically convenient manners. Examples ofsuch portable devices include (but are not limited to) a mobile phone, acellular phone, a smartphone, a personal digital assistant, a tabletcomputer, a netbook, a notebook computer, a laptop computer, amultimedia playback device, a digital music player, a digital videoplayer, a navigational device, a digital camera, and the like.

In an implementation, FIG. 1A shows a so-called “NFC bump” where twousers (not shown) “bump” their NFC-enabled portable devices 102-2 and102-4 together in an edge-to-edge or head-to-head manner to performNFC-related information sharing functions. FIG. 1A shows an oftendesired side-by-side arrangement of the portable devices 102 for NFCpurposes. The portable devices 102-2 and 102-4 may include a multipleloop (spiral shape) coil antenna (not shown) to perform the NFCoperations. The NFC operations may include data communications betweenthe portable devices 102. For example, the portable device 102-2 maytransfer information to the portable device 102-4 through near filedcoupling operations.

FIG. 1B illustrates wireless communications between the portable device102-2 and the portable device 102-4. In an implementation, the portabledevices 102-2 and 102-4 may include a proximity sensor circuit (notshown) that utilizes the multiple loop coil antenna to perform proximitysensing detection. The proximity sensing detection may be used to complywith FCC (and other) regulations such as, the SAR. The SAR may relate toregulatory limits regarding human exposure to electromagnetic energyfrom wireless devices such as the portable devices 102.

In an implementation, the portable devices 102-2 and 102-4 may include awireless communications circuit (not shown) that includes one or moretransceiver antennas (not shown). The wireless communication circuit maybe configured to operate in accordance with one or more wirelessstandards. For example, the wireless communication circuit may beconfigured to wirelessly transfer information between the portabledevice 102-2 and the portable device 102-4 via a wireless communicationlink 104 (through a tower 106) that is established in accordance with atleast one of a 3G or 4G digital wireless communication standard. Such a3G or 4G digital wireless communication standard may include one or moreof a WiMax communication standard (e.g., in accordance with the IEEE802.16 family of standards such as IEEE 802.16-2009), a Third-GenerationPartnership Project (3GPP) Long-Term-Evolution (LTE) communicationstandard, or one or more other standards or protocols. In an embodiment,the wireless communication circuit may be configured to wirelesstransfer information in accordance of a Wi-Fi wirelesslocal-area-networking (WLAN) standard, such as one or more of the IEEE802.11 family of standards (e.g., IEEE. 802.11a-1999, 802.11b-1999,802.11g-2003, 802.11n-2009, 802.11-2007), or one or more other standardsor protocols.

In order to comply with the SAR requirement, the proximity sensingdetection may allow the one or more transceiver antennas (not shown) atthe portable device 102 to be at receive mode only if a human being(e.g., human being 108) is detected within proximity of the portabledevice 102 (e.g., portable device 102-2). At another instance, the oneor more transceiver antennas may regularly operate at transmitting andreceiving mode if no human being 106 is detected by the proximitysensing detection. Furthermore, the transceiver antennas may beconfigured to throttle transmission power if the human being 108 isdetected within proximity of the transceiver antennas. In otherimplementations, the proximity sensor circuit may utilize the multipleloop coil antenna to detect metallic components (not shown) of anotherportable device that may come within proximity of the portable device102-2. This information may be further used to initiate/cease wirelesscommunication/wireless power transfer between the two devices.

Example Portable Device

FIG. 2 is an example embodiment of the portable device 102 that utilizesthe same coil antenna for NFC operations and proximity sensingdetection. In an implementation, the wireless device 102 may include atransceiver (TX/RX) antenna 200, a receiver (RX) antenna 202, a NFC orproximity sensor coil antenna (NFC/Sensor coil antenna) 204, a proximitysensor circuit and NFC module combo 206, and a wireless communicationscircuit 208.

In an implementation, the TX/RX antenna 200 and the NFC/Sensor coilantenna 204 may be located at one edge (e.g., top edge 210) of theportable device 102. Similarly, the RX antenna 202 may be located atanother edge (e.g., bottom edge 212) of the portable device 102. In animplementation, the NFC/Sensor coil antenna 204 may be configured toinclude an open ended spiral shape coil antenna to perform proximitysensing detection. For example, to detect presence or absence of humantissue in proximity to where the NFC/Sensor coil antenna 204 is located.At the same time, during NFC operations, the NFC/Sensor coil antenna 204may be configured to include a close ended spiral shape coil antenna toperform NFC related functions such as, reading NFC tags, credit cards,or transfer of information using the “NFC bump” between two NFC enableddevices.

In an implementation, the NFC/Sensor coil antenna 204 may carry,transmit, or receive an electrical signal that includes proximitysensing electrical (not shown) signal and NFC electrical signal (notshown). The proximity sensing electrical signal may include a change incapacitive characteristic due to a human being (e.g., human being 106)that comes within proximity, or due to metallic components of anotherdevice (e.g., portable device 102-2, 102-4) that is within the proximityrange of the NFC/Sensor coil antenna 204. In an implementation, theproximity sensing electrical signal may include a low frequency ofoperation (e.g., 30 KHz) that may be separated from the NFC electricalsignal that includes a high frequency of operation (e.g., 13.56 MHz) toperform NFC related functions.

In an implementation, the proximity sensor circuit and NFC module combo206 may be configured to process the received electrical signal from theNFC/Sensor coil antenna 204. The proximity sensor circuit and NFC modulecombo 206 is a single module that includes a proximity sensor (notshown) and a NFC module (not shown). The proximity sensor processes theproximity sensing electrical signal, while the NFC module processes theNFC electrical signal. The proximity sensor circuit and NFC module combo206 may be coupled to a wireless communications circuit 208. In animplementation, the wireless communications circuit 208 may beconfigured to adjust the communication parameters such as, a transmitpower, in response to information obtained from the proximity sensingoperations. The adjustment of the TX/RX antenna 200 mode of operationsmay be implemented to comply with the SAR requirement of the FCC (andother).

In another implementation, the proximity sensor circuit and NFC modulecombo 206 may be configured to process the received electrical signalfrom the NFC/Sensor coil antenna 204 and another NFC/Sensor coil antenna(not shown) that may be located at the edge 212 of the portable device102. The operation for the proximity sensor circuit and NFC module combo206 discussed above is similarly applied; however, proximity sensingdetection at the NFC/Sensor coil antenna (not shown) that is located atthe edge 212 may be considered by the wireless communications circuit208 in adjusting the communication parameters. For example, if a humanis detected within proximity of the NFC/Sensor coil antenna 204 and theother NFC/Sensor coil antenna that is located at the edge 212,transmission power is throttled in the portable device 102.

In another implementation, the portable device 102 may include aproximity sensor component (not shown) that may be integrated with anNFC module (not shown), and the NFC/Sensor coil antenna 204 to form asingle module. The proximity sensor component may be used to detectpresence of other near field coupling devices (e.g., portable device102-2, 102-4), or NFC tags/credit card that is within the proximitysensing range of the portable device 102 through detecting thecapacitance change introduced by the metallic components within theother portable device, NFC tags, or credit card. During detectionoperations by the proximity sensor, the NFC/WPT module may be activatedor deactivated in performing the NFC and/or WPT operations through theNFC/Sensor coil antenna 204. The activation/deactivation of the NFCand/or WPT operations may avoid continuous RF emissions by the NFCmodule when no other near field coupling portable device (e.g., portabledevice 102-2, 102-4) is within proximity range of the portable device102 to reduce power consumption and RF emission.

Furthermore, the portable device 102 includes one or more processor(s)214. Processor(s) 214 may be a single processing unit or a number ofprocessing units, all of which may include single or multiple computingunits or multiple cores. The processor(s) 214 may be implemented as oneor more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digitalsignal processors, central processing units, state machines, logiccircuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate signals based onoperational instructions. Among other capabilities, the processor(s) 214may be configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions orprocessor-accessible instructions stored in a memory 216 or othercomputer-readable storage media.

In certain implementations, the memory component 216 is an example ofcomputer-readable storage media for storing instructions, which areexecuted by the processor(s) 214 to perform the various functionsdescribed above. For example, memory 216 may generally include bothvolatile memory and non-volatile memory (e.g., RAM, ROM, or the like).Memory 216 may be referred to as memory or computer-readable storagemedia herein. Memory 216 is capable of storing computer-readable,processor-executable program instructions as computer program code thatmay be executed by the processor(s) 214 as a particular machineconfigured for carrying out the operations and functions described inthe implementations herein.

The example portable device 102 described herein is merely an examplethat is suitable for some implementations and is not intended to suggestany limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of theenvironments, architectures and frameworks that may implement theprocesses, components and features described herein.

Generally, any of the functions described with reference to the figurescan be implemented using software, hardware (e.g., fixed logiccircuitry) or a combination of these implementations. Program code maybe stored in one or more computer-readable memory devices or othercomputer-readable storage devices. Thus, the processes and componentsdescribed herein may be implemented by a computer program product. Asmentioned above, computer storage media includes volatile andnon-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in anymethod or technology for storage of information, such as computerreadable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data.Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM,EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digitalversatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices,or any other medium that can be used to store information for access bya computing device.

Example Proximity Sensor and NFC Module with Passive Devices

FIG. 3 is an example implementation 300 of proximity sensor and NFCmodule with passive devices. The emerging technologies related to nearfield coupling enable many appealing experiences for users of theportable device 102. For example, integrating a flexible printed circuit(FPC), which incorporates the NFC/Sensor coil antenna 204, into a thinportable device 102 may minimize any increase in the thickness of theportable device 102.

With continuing reference to FIG. 3, the drawing illustrates a proximitysensor 302 and a NFC module 304 that are integrated into a single module(i.e., Proximity sensor circuit and NFC module combo 206). In animplementation, the proximity sensor 302 may be configured to utilizethe NFC/Sensor coil antenna 204 to carry the proximity sensingelectrical signal. Although the NFC/Sensor coil antenna 204 may beutilized at the same time by the NFC module for NFC related functions,the proximity sensing electrical signal may be separated from the NFCelectrical signal through installation of passive devices.

In an implementation, the proximity sensor 302 may be configured tooperate at a low frequency electrical signal such as, 30 KHz electricalsignal for proximity sensing operations. In this example, the capacitivecharacteristic is measured by evaluating the charging and dischargingcurrent injected into the coil antenna 204. The capacitivecharacteristic may change when a human comes in proximity withNFC/Sensor coil antenna 204. The change in the capacitive characteristicmay be compared to a configured threshold value for capacitance changethat may trigger selection of the TX/RX antenna 200 or reduces TX powerby the wireless communications circuitry 208. The threshold value maysimilarly apply to changes in the capacitive characteristic due tometallic components of another portable device that is within proximityof the NFC/Sensor coil antenna 204.

In an implementation, the NFC/Sensor coil antenna 204 may be configuredto include an open ended shape during proximity sensing operation. Forexample, a terminal link 306-2 that is connected to one end of theNFC/Sensor coil antenna 204 may be connected to the proximity sensor302, and to a terminal of a front-end of the NFC module 304. A secondterminal link 306-4 that is connected to another end of the NFC/Sensorcoil antenna 204 may be connected to another terminal of the NFC module304. In an implementation, the front-end terminals of the NFC module 304are connected to capacitors 308 that link the NFC module 304 to theterminal connections 306 of the NFC/Sensor coil antenna 204. Duringproximity sensing operations, the capacitors 308 (e.g., 470 pF) may actas an open circuit (i.e., high isolation) to low frequency electricalsignal (e.g., 30 KHz). In other words, the terminal connections 306-2and 306-4 are disconnected to the front-end of the NFC module 304. Onthe other hand, a low pass filter that includes a passive deviceresistor 310 may act as a short circuit (i.e., low attenuation) to the30 KHz proximity sensing electrical signal. Accordingly, for proximitysensing operations, the NFC/Sensor coil antenna 204 present to the Lowfrequency proximity sensing signal as an open ended spiral shapeNFC/Sensor coil antenna 204.

During NFC operations, the capacitors 308 may include a short circuitequivalent at relatively high operating frequency (e.g., 13.56 MHz forNFC operations). On the other hand, the low pass filter that links theNFC/Sensor coil antenna 204 to the proximity sensor 302 may offer anopen circuit equivalent at the NFC operations frequency of 13.56 MHz. Inother words, during the NFC operations, the low pass filter that linksthe proximity sensor 302 to the NFC/Sensor coil antenna 204 may isolatethe high frequency NFC electrical signals. Accordingly, for NFCoperations, the NFC/Sensor coil antenna 204 presents to the Highfrequency NFC signal as a closed spiral shape NFC/Sensor coil antenna204.

Example Proximity Sensor and NFC Module with Active Devices

FIG. 4 is an example implementation 400 of proximity sensor and NFCmodule with active devices. In an implementation, the active devices maybe configured to include switches 402-2 and 402-4 to link the front-endterminals of the NFC module 304 to the NFC/Sensor coil antenna 204.Further, a switch 402-6 may be used to link the proximity sensor 302 tothe terminal link 306-2 of the NFC/Sensor coil antenna 204. For example,during proximity sensing operation, the switches 402-2 and 402-4 may beconfigured to include an open circuit, while the switch 402-6 may beconfigured to include a short circuit. As a result, the NFC/Sensor coilantenna 204 is configured to include the open ended spiral shape duringproximity sensing operation by the proximity sensor 302. In anotherexample, during NFC operation, the switches 402-2 and 402-4 may beconfigured to include a short circuit, while the switch 402-6 may beconfigured to include an open circuit. As a result, the NFC/Sensor coilantenna 204 is configured to include the close ended spiral shape duringthe NFC operation by the NFC module 304.

In an implementation, the switches 402 may be dynamically controlledbased on usage at the portable device 102. For example, if the TX/RXantenna 200 is not used (e.g., used for 3G transmission), then theNFC/Sensor coil antenna 204 may be dedicated primarily for NFC relatedfunctions. As compared to the use of passive devices (i.e., capacitors308 and resistor 310), the active devices (i.e., switches 402) may beconfigured to switch back and forth in a time domain between performingthe proximity sensing detection at a certain time, and performing theNFC related functions at another time.

Example Process

FIG. 5 shows an example process chart illustrating an example method forproximity sensing and near field communications using the same coilantenna. The order in which the method is described is not intended tobe construed as a limitation, and any number of the described methodblocks can be combined in any order to implement the method, oralternate method. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted fromthe method without departing from the spirit and scope of the subjectmatter described herein. Furthermore, the method may be implemented inany suitable hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof,without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, acomputer accessible medium may implement proximity sensing operationsand NFC operations by utilizing the same coil antenna.

At block 502, carrying, transmitting, or receiving an electrical signalby a coil antenna is performed. In an implementation, the coil antenna(e.g., NFC/Sensor coil antenna 204) may receive, carry, or transmit theelectrical signal that includes a proximity sensing electrical signaland a NFC electrical signal. For example, the proximity sensingelectrical signal may include a low frequency of operation (e.g., 30KHz) to implement proximity sensing operation. On the other hand, theNFC electrical signal may include a high frequency of operation (e.g.,13.56 MHz) to implement NFC related functions.

At block 504, isolating the proximity sensing electrical signal from theNFC electrical signal. Since the NFC electrical signal includes adifferent frequency of operation (i.e., 13.56 MHz) from the proximitysensing electrical signal (i.e., 30 KHz), passive devices (e.g.,capacitors 308) may be used to separate the proximity sensing electricalsignal from the NFC electrical signal. For example, the use of passivedevices (i.e., capacitors 308 and resistor 310) may include a low passfilter between a proximity sensor (e.g., proximity sensor 302) and theNFC/Sensor coil antenna 204 to allow the proximity sensing electricalsignal to the proximity sensor 302 while the NFC electrical signal isblocked at the same time. In another example, the use of the passivedevices (i.e., capacitors 308 and resistor 310) may include a high passfilter between a NFC module (e.g., NFC module 304) and the NFC/Sensorcoil antenna 204 to allow the NFC electrical signal to the NFC module304 while the proximity sensing electrical signal is blocked at the sametime.

In an implementation, the use of the passive devices or components(i.e., capacitors 308 and resistor 310) may configure the NFC/Sensorcoil antenna 204 to include an open ended spiral shape coil antennaconfiguration during proximity sensing operations. On the other hand,the passive devices may configure the NFC/Sensor coil antenna 204 toinclude a close ended spiral shape coil antenna configuration during NFCoperations.

In other implementations, use of active switches (e.g., active switches402) may be configured (e.g., by a software application) to isolate theproximity sensing electrical signal from the NFC electrical signal. Forexample, during proximity sensing operations, the switches 402 may allowconnection between the proximity sensor 302 and the NFC/Sensor coilantenna 204 while the NFC module 304 is disconnected to from theNFC/Sensor coil antenna 204. In this example, NFC/Sensor coil antenna204 is configured to include an open ended spiral shape coil antennaconfiguration during proximity sensing operations. Similarly, the activeswitches 402 may be configured to transform the NFC/Sensor coil antenna204 into a close ended spiral shape coil antenna configuration when theswitches 402 disconnects the proximity sensor 302 from the NFC/Sensorcoil antenna 204 while the NFC module is connected to the NFC/Sensorcoil antenna 204.

At block 506, performing NFC related function using the NFC electricalsignal is performed.

At block 508, determining if threshold capacitance for proximity sensingoperation is satisfied. In an implementation, the proximity sensor 302processes a variation in capacitance due to a human in proximity of theNFC/Sensor coil antenna 204. A threshold capacitance value may beconfigured to trigger selection of transceiver antenna (e.g., TX/RXantenna 200) or by adjusting the transmit power through a TX antenna(e.g. TX/RX antenna 200) by wireless communications circuitry to complywith SAR requirements. If the threshold capacitance value is satisfied,following the YES branch of block 510, the adjustment of the transceiverantenna operation is performed.

Otherwise following the NO branch of block 508, at block 502, theNFC/Sensor coil antenna 204 continues to receive the electrical signal.

At block 510, adjustment of the transceiver antenna operation isperformed. In an implementation, the transceiver antennas (e.g., TX/RX200) may be configured to operate in transmit and receive mode at thesame time, or at receive mode only, or in throttled transmission powerstate to comply with the SAR requirements.

Realizations in accordance with the present invention have beendescribed in the context of particular embodiments. These embodimentsare meant to be illustrative and not limiting. Many variations,modifications, additions, and improvements are possible. Accordingly,plural instances may be provided for components described herein as asingle instance. Boundaries between various components, operations anddata stores are somewhat arbitrary, and particular operations areillustrated in the context of specific illustrative configurations.Other allocations of functionality are envisioned and may fall withinthe scope of claims that follow. Finally, structures and functionalitypresented as discrete components in the various configurations may beimplemented as a combined structure or component. These and othervariations, modifications, additions, and improvements may fall withinthe scope of the invention as defined in the claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for proximity sensing comprising:carrying, transmitting or receiving an electrical signal by an antenna,the electrical signal including a proximity sensing electrical signaland a near field communications (NFC) electrical signal; isolating theproximity sensing electrical signal from the NFC electrical signal, theantenna is configured to include an open ended shape during proximitysensing operation, the antenna is configured to include a close endedshape during NFC operation; performing an NFC operation utilizing theclose ended shape antenna; and performing a proximity sensing operationutilizing the open ended shape antenna.
 2. A method as recited in claim1, wherein isolating includes using a low pass filter between aproximity sensor and the open ended antenna to allow the proximitysensor to receive the proximity sensor electrical signal that includes alow frequency of operation, wherein the low pass filter is adapted toblock the NFC electrical signal from the proximity sensor.
 3. A methodas recited in claim 1, wherein isolating includes using a high passfilter between a NFC module and the close ended antenna to allow the NFCmodule to receive the NFC electrical signal that includes a highfrequency of operation, wherein the high pass filter is adapted to blockthe proximity sensing electrical signal from the NFC module.
 4. A methodas recited in claim 1, wherein the isolating includes using a NFC moduleand a proximity sensor, wherein the proximity sensor and the NFC moduleform a single module.
 5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein theantenna, a proximity sensor and a NFC module form a single module.
 6. Amethod as recited in claim 1, wherein isolating includes using at leastone passive device to separate the proximity sensing electrical signalfrom the NFC electrical signal, wherein the passive device includes acapacitor and/or a resistor.
 7. A method as recited in claim 1, whereinisolating includes using active switches configured isolate the openended antenna from a NFC module during the proximity sensing operation,wherein the active switches are further configured to allow theproximity sensing electrical signal to be received by a proximitysensor.
 8. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein isolating includesusing active switches configured to isolate the close ended antenna froma proximity sensor during the NFC operation, wherein the active switchesare further adapted to allow the NFC electrical signal to be received bya NFC module.
 9. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein isolatingincludes using active switches configured to switch back and forth in atime domain in performing the proximity sensing operation and the NFCoperation.
 10. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprisingcomparing input capacitance of the proximity sensing operationelectrical signal with a threshold capacitance value, wherein thethreshold capacitance value is used as a basis to adjust transceiveroperation during wireless communication operations.
 11. A method asrecited in claim 1, wherein the antenna is a coil antenna.
 12. Aportable device comprising: an antenna adapted to carry, transmit orreceive an electrical signal, which includes a proximity sensingelectrical signal and a near field communications (NFC) electricalsignal; one or more components adapted to isolate the proximity sensingelectrical signal from the NFC electrical signal; a NFC module adaptedto process the NFC electrical signal, the NFC module utilizes theantenna to include a close ended antenna during NFC operation; and aproximity sensor adapted to process the proximity sensing electricalsignal, the proximity sensor uses the antenna to include an open endedantenna during proximity sensing operation.
 13. A portable device asrecited in claim 12, wherein the one or more components include apassive device that includes a low pass filter to allow the proximitysensor to receive and process the proximity sensor electrical signalthat includes a low frequency of operation, wherein the low pass filterblocks the NFC electrical signal from the proximity sensor.
 14. Aportable device as recited in claim 12, wherein the one or morecomponents include a passive device that includes a high pass filter toallow the NFC module to receive and process the NFC electrical signalthat includes a high frequency of operation, wherein the high passfilter blocks the proximity sensing electrical signal from the NFCmodule.
 15. A portable device as recited in claim 12, wherein theproximity sensor and the NFC module form a single module.
 16. A portabledevice as recited in claim 12, wherein the antenna includes a multipleloop spiral shape antenna.
 17. A portable device as recited in claim 12,wherein the one or more components include a passive device, the passivedevice includes at least a capacitor and/or a resistor.
 18. A portabledevice as recited in claim 12, wherein the one or more componentsinclude active switches to isolate the open ended coil antenna from theNFC module during the proximity sensing operation, wherein the activeswitches allows the proximity sensing electrical signal to be receivedand processed by the proximity sensor.
 19. A portable device as recitedin claim 12, wherein the one or more components include active switchesto isolate the close ended coil antenna from the proximity sensor duringthe NFC operation, wherein the active switches allows the NFC electricalsignal to be received and processed by the NFC module.
 20. A portabledevice as recited in claim 12, wherein the one or more componentsinclude active switches that are configured to switch back and forth ina time domain in performing the proximity sensing operation and the NFCoperation.
 21. A portable device as recited in claim 12, wherein theproximity sensor compares an input capacitance of the proximity sensingoperation electrical signal with a threshold capacitance value, whereinthe threshold capacitance value is used as a basis to adjust transceiveroperation during wireless communication operations.
 22. A portabledevice as recited in claim 12, wherein the antenna is a coil antenna.23. At least one computer accessible medium that performs a method forproximity sensing comprising: carrying, transmitting, or receiving anelectrical signal by an antenna, the electrical signal includes aproximity sensing electrical signal and a near field communications(NFC) electrical signal; isolating the proximity sensing electricalsignal from the NFC electrical signal, the antenna includes an openended shape during proximity sensing operation, the antenna includes aclose ended shape during NFC operation; performing the NFC operationutilizing the close ended shape antenna; and performing the proximitysensing operation utilizing the open ended shape antenna.
 24. A computeraccessible medium as recited in claim 23, wherein the isolating includesusing a low pass filter between a proximity sensor and the open endedcoil antenna to allow the proximity sensor to receive the proximitysensor electrical signal that includes a low frequency of operation,wherein the low pass filter blocks the NFC electrical signal from theproximity sensor.
 25. A computer accessible medium as recited in claim23, wherein the isolating includes using a high pass filter between aNFC module and the close ended coil antenna to allow the NFC module toreceive the NFC electrical signal that includes a high frequency ofoperation, wherein the high pass filter blocks the proximity sensingelectrical signal from the NFC module.
 26. A computer accessible mediumas recited in claim 23, wherein the isolating includes using a NFCmodule and a proximity sensor, wherein the proximity sensor and the NFCmodule form a single module.
 27. A computer accessible medium as recitedin claim 23, wherein the antenna is configured to include a multipleloop spiral shape antenna.
 28. A computer accessible medium as recitedin claim 23, wherein the isolating includes using passive devices toseparate the proximity sensing electrical signal from the NFC electricalsignal, wherein the passive devices includes at least a capacitor and/ora resistor.
 29. A computer accessible medium as recited in claim 23,wherein the isolating includes using active switches that isolate theopen ended antenna from the NFC module during the proximity sensingoperation, wherein the active switches allow the proximity sensingelectrical signal to be received by the proximity sensor.
 30. A computeraccessible medium as recited in claim 23, wherein the isolating includesusing active switches that isolate the close ended coil antenna from theproximity sensor during the NFC operation, wherein the active switchesallows the NFC electrical signal to be received by the NFC module.
 31. Acomputer accessible medium as recited in claim 23, wherein the isolatingincludes using active switches to switch back and forth in a time domainin performing the proximity sensing operation and the NFC operation. 32.A computer accessible medium as recited in 23, further comprisingcomparing input capacitance of the proximity sensing operationelectrical signal with a threshold capacitance value, wherein thethreshold capacitance value is used as a basis to adjust transceiveroperation during wireless communication operations.
 33. A computeraccessible medium as recited in claim 23, wherein the antenna is a coilantenna.
 34. A system comprising: one or more processors; memoryconfigured to the one or more processors; and a near fieldcommunications (NFC) component configured to the one or more processorsand memory, adapted to process an NFC electrical signal from an antennaadapted to carry, transmit or receive an electrical signal, whichincludes a proximity sensing electrical signal and the near fieldcommunications (NFC) electrical signal, wherein the NFC component usesthe antenna to include a close ended antenna during NFC operation; and aproximity sensor component configured to the one or more processors andmemory, adapted to process the proximity sensing electrical signal, theproximity sensor uses the antenna to include an open ended antennaduring proximity sensing operation.
 35. A system as recited in claim 34further comprising a passive device of one or both of the following: alow pass filter to allow the proximity sensor component to receive andprocess the proximity sensor electrical signal that includes a lowfrequency of operation, wherein the low pass filter blocks the NFCelectrical signal from the proximity sensor; and/or a high pass filterto allow the NFC component to receive and process the NFC electricalsignal that includes a high frequency of operation, wherein the highpass filter blocks the proximity sensing electrical signal from the NFCcomponent.
 36. A system as recited in claim 34, further comprising apassive device, wherein the passive device includes a capacitor and/or aresistor.
 37. A system as recited in claim 34, further comprising activeswitches adapted to perform one of the following: isolate the open endedantenna from the NFC component during the proximity sensing operation,wherein the active switches allows the proximity sensing electricalsignal to be received and processed by the proximity sensor component;isolate the close ended antenna from the proximity sensor componentduring the NFC operation, wherein the active switches allows the NFCelectrical signal to be received and processed by the NFC component. 38.A system as recited in claim 34, further comprising one or morecomponents adapted to isolate the proximity sensing electrical signalfrom the NFC electrical signal.
 39. A system as recited in claim 34,wherein the antenna is included in a module that includes the NFCcomponent and proximity sensor component.
 40. A system as recited inclaim 34, wherein the antenna is a coil antenna.